COURTLAND—Billy Grizzard, executive director of operations for Southampton County Public Schools, will retire June 30 after a 38-year career with the district.

“I’ll be 68 in September, and I just think it’s time to let someone else do the job,” Grizzard said Wednesday. “I think I need to go get on my boat and go fishing.”

Superintendent Charles Turner will miss Grizzard.

“He’s an outstanding individual and has been a loyal, dedicated, compassionate, committed and supportive employee,” Turner said. “He has served Southampton County Public Schools effectively and productively for 38 years. His value to Southampton County school system is immeasurable. We wish for him the very best.”

A Southampton County native who graduated from Southampton High School in 1961, Grizzard earned a bachelor’s degree in physical education from Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond. He served in the Army for two years, including a tour in Vietnam from 1968-1969.

Grizzard then taught physical education in Henrico County before returning home in 1973 to take the job as assistant principal at the former Southampton Junior High School. Three years later, Grizzard was named supervisor of transportation. In his current job, he continues to oversee transportation and was in charge of building maintenance.

“Everything that’s non-instructional except food service,” he said.

Making the decision to retire was “very tough.”

“For a person who has worked all of their life, it was a tough decision to leave the people you worked with all those years,” Grizzard said. “I will miss the camaraderie and the kids. I’ve been in education all of my life.”

Grizzard and his wife, Kay, are the parents of Cathy Yeatts of Hanover County and grandparents of Madelyn, 5.